Advantages of Using a Rice Cooker

RICE COOKER

A few folks asked me the same questions:

“How do you cook your rice perfectly?”

“What kind of rice are you using?”

When I was growing up in the Philippines, we did not have the luxury of having a rice cooker. We did it the “old fashion way.” Measure the amount of rice that you want to cook, wash it and put the right amount of water.

Easy to say… but did you know that every rice is different? What I mean is some rice will absorb more water than others, which means you have to add more water than usual. The thing is… if you don’t add the right amount, you’re rice will be a bit hard. But if you add too much water then it will be mushy.

Another thing… as soon as your rice starts boiling, did you know that you have to lower the heat so it slowly cooks without burning it? This could also be tricky.

This is where the rice cooker comes in. Using it will make things a lot easier for you and it is so simple to use.

Measure the amount that you want to cook. Wash it 3x. Add the amount of water. Push the button COOK and leave it without the worries of checking it all the time. The button will change to WARM meaning it’s already cooked and it’s just keeping it WARM until you’re ready to serve it. Pretty simple huh?

FIRST things first! Which rice and what kind?

I personally use white rice. This is available here where I live but you can also substitute it with MILAGROSA JASMIN RICE, BASMATI MILAGROSA. I choose the scented one because as you cook the rice it releases a good scent while cooking it. If scented is not available, it’s still good.

SECOND: What kind of Rice Cooker?

There are so many kinds out there. Choose a size that will fit your family’s need. There’s only Mike and myself but we love eating rice, I serve it 5x a week. Sometimes I have to make a big batch when we have special occasions at church.

With this in mind I bought a MEDIUM RICE COOKER. Maybe you only need a smaller one, in that case; get the smallest that exist. Here is the thing about cooking a big batch. You can put them in the fridge and make fried rice with it anytime you want.

The truth is I always have some batch in the fridge and when I feel like eating it. I just simply put it in the microwave for about 1.5 minutes and it’s ready!

May I suggest something…If you will buy a rice cooker please buy the non-stick one, it is black and not the aluminum. I have certainly used the aluminum one for many years and the thing that I don’t like about it is after a long period of time of using it… you start seeing small fragments of aluminum coming off the main bowl … I always wonder where it goes? I probably have eaten it all! 🙁 Also the aluminum can lightly burn your rice. GO with the non-stick one.

Another thing… please use the recommended spoon for the rice, it usually comes in the package when you buy it. This will protect your rice cooker from unnecessary scratches. Don’t use a stainless steel spoon!

One last TIP!

Buy a rice cooker where the cord is attached, not cordless. Why? Last year I had a beautiful cordless rice cooker. One day the cord was missing! Guess what? I could not find it! So I tried to order it from the manufacturer. They had stopped producing that model. So, although the rice cooker was brand new and to my liking… it became pretty much useless. When the cord is attached all the time… no worries at all. 🙂 It’s a little tip but it is totally up to you.

I think I’ve said pretty much what I wanted to share with you. Check for a good deal at your local stores for a rice cooker and eliminate the hassle of cooking a simple recipe like… RICE. 🙂

My rice cooker’s cook button automatically lifts up when the rice is cooked. I am using BLACK & DECKER. If you can’t find it where you are, you may also be able to get it online. I left the link below.